Stark figures on estate cardiac deaths unveiled in defibrillator push
A PUSH to bring more life saving devices to a growing Teesside estate has been launched after shocking figures were revealed on cardiac deaths.
Front-line ambulance worker Deborah Gale unveiled the progress a new group had made on securing new defibrillators for Ingleby Barwick at the estate’s latest town council meeting.
And the Round Hill resident quoted stark statistics on the impacts of cardiac arrests in the area.
Ms Gale said: “Since the start of 2018, there have been 46 cardiac arrests in Ingleby Barwick – of which 45% were given CPR by bystanders, which is about the normal level.
“A CPAD (community access public defibrillator) has only been used once – but that led to the only survival of those 46 arrests.
“This highlights that Ingleby Barwick needs to have further CPADs in place within a 500m radius.”
The Resuscitation Council says for every minute someone is in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR and a defibrillator, their chance of survival decreases by 10%.
A defibrillator gives a jolt of energy to the heart which can help restore its rhythm and get it beating normally again.
The town council has installed two defibrillators on the estate – which have both been used in the past week.
But Ms Gale explained how she and a small group of community members were fundraising to increase the number of devices on the estate, and reduce the distance residents would have to travel should trouble strike.
They have also been working with the North East Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation to ensure a device is available to all households within 500m.
“Canon Alan, from St Therese’s Church, has confirmed the first external installation on the grounds of the church,” added Ms Gale.
“We’re scoping another three sites for the first planned install phase, and are currently in negotiations with the Co-op garage and various sites on Lowfields.
“The next planned phase will be Roundhill, Sober Hall, Broom Hill and the back of The Rings.
“Once we have further sites confirmed, we’ll be coming back to look for funding.
“We need to install seven to eight defibrillators to add to the existing two to ensure every household is within a 500m radius.”
The aim is to have two “guardians” for each of the new devices to check them every week.
Cllr Ted Strike, member for the east ward, said the town council had discussed more devices in the past year – adding it too was looking at sites.
“We do need more,” he added.
“One of the things we were looking at was at least one in every parade of shops and possibly around where the pubs are.
“I totally agree with everything you say and you certainly have my support.”
A number of pubs on the estate do have defibrillators – but not all are publicly accessible around the clock.
Ms Gale added she’d been in touch with an electrical engineer who’d also agreed to install devices in future for no charge.
And she was keen to get them rolled out quickly.
“Working with the (Yorkshire) Ambulance Service, I’ve seen the importance of having these,” she added.
“They can save lives.
“The quicker it’s done, the better.”
The town council agreed to work with the new group – with requests for funding expected in future.